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Localization of the urge to void in patients with painful bladder syndrome
Author(s) -
FitzGerald Mary P.,
Kenton Kimberly S.,
Brubaker Linda
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.20177
Subject(s) - medicine , urinary urgency , asymptomatic , overactive bladder , buttocks , urinary incontinence , etiology , urinary system , interstitial cystitis , urinary bladder , abdomen , urology , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine
Aims Our aim was to describe the location of urinary urgency or bladder discomfort in patients with painful bladder syndrome (PBS) and controls. Methods Patients with symptomatic diagnoses of PBS, overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and asymptomatic controls were asked to indicate the location of their urinary urge/urgency/discomfort on a body map. Results We present results for 30 PBS patients, 25 OAB patients, 15 SUI patients, and 15 asymptomatic controls. In asymptomatic subjects and those with SUI, the urge to void was localized to the suprapubic region only. More than half (53%) of patients with PBS and a minority (20%) of those with OAB localized their urinary urgency/discomfort to both suprapubic and vulvar/urethral locations. Some patients with PBS also localized their urinary discomfort to other body sites including low back, upper and lateral buttocks, lower abdomen, and upper thighs. Conclusions In most patients with PBS and some with OAB, complaints of bladder discomfort or urgency may refer to sensations that are localized at sites other than suprapubic. The etiology of widespread sensation may include an expansion of dermatomes of referral of bladder sensation, and/or the presence of associated somatic abnormalities. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.